Signed for but not by me?

[Tomlad]

Hi there, I was wondering if anyone could shed any light on the following situation:

I bought an item from ebay on the 18th of May, dispatched same day, 1st class recorded delivery.

I still hadn't recieved it by today (24th may), so I asked the seller where the item was.
The seller told me the item had been delivered on the 20th and sent me the tracking number for proof of delivery.

When I checked the proof of delivery, It had T Longway as the printed name, with a signature I don't recognise. My name is T Longley.
The time stamp said it had been signed for at 13:26 GMT. This is interesting, as I wasn't at home. Infact, I was at work, teaching a class full of 13 yearolds...

The only other person who lives here is my partner. She was also at work, and has an entirely different surname.

No calling card was left. I looked carefully to make sure on the 20th, as I was actually quite desperate to recieve the item!

Any thoughts?

[mazza111]

On the tracking info, was it delivered from "your town"'s delivery office? Would check that first of all. Then go ahead and raise a claim as not being received, up to the sender to prove that you have signed for it. As it's not your name, not your signature, not your problem.

[Tomlad]

Hi thanks for your reply.

It was delivered from my local delivery office. What would happen if the item went to my local post office because nobody was in? Would it say so on the proof of delivery?

I know that its the sellers responsibility, but I do sympathise a lot, as I'm more of a seller than a buyer.

I've just been and emptied both my wheely bins, as the postman has previously put items in them, saying thats my designated "safe place".
Its not my designated safe place mind you, its pretty gross!
Anyhow, I though I'd check incase I'd not received a calling card for whatever reason, but no joy.

[arnold cheshire]

its looking like youve signed for it tough

[Tomlad]

Well, its not tough really.

Mostly because I was at school, teaching, infront of 20 kids and several adult members of staff at the time.

I can prove that I wasn't there at the time of the signature.

I understand this forum is set up for employees and some choose to offer advice, but your response is just silly really, isn't it?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

To be honest - if you have not signed for it, and you have checked with the Callers Office of the Delivery Office the next thing to do is raise a claim with Royal Mail Customer Services or see if they can the Investigation Branch (RMs Investigation arm - older than the Police) involved.

It might be worth raising a claim on Ebay as well. Just as their are dishonest buyers on there, undoubtedly there are also dishonest sellers.

Good luck.

BTW I am hoping B4W left a "h" out of the word though

[Tomlad]

Thanks, you're probably right, maybe I'm over reacting and he meant "though", lol.

I've contacted RM, who are investigating. They didn't seem very impressed with whats happened.
I don't really want to endanger someones job, during tough times, but what can you do when things go missing?
The item is only worth £10, but next time it might be something more important.

Edit re: the seller

I've bought a lot from them in the past and plan to in the future.
The item was delivered from my local office, so I have no doubt it was sent ok and the problem is with RM.

Having said that, I will raise a claim if I don't get a positive result from RM. I guess it is the sellers responsibility.
A week ago I sent some corals by Special Delivery. They were delayed, taking 2 days and 3 out of 4 were dead on arrival. I had to refund the buyer then, so I guess its dog-eat-dog.

[arnold cheshire]

anybody can do a fake signature and say they havent received there item then can they ?

[arnold cheshire]

ok can we have some PROPER clarification on this ? ????? when i get a signature its possible on the pda to spell the customers surname wrong . I dont care what their signature LOOKS like . theyve signed job done

[Tomlad]

The package was signed for at 13:26, at my home address.

At this time I was at work.

I'm a secondary school teacher, so was up infront of about 20 kids teaching. How on earth am I supposed to have signed for it?

If needs be, the school can verify that I was at work.

[arnold cheshire]

The package was signed for at 13:26, at my home address.

At this time I was at work.

I'm a secondary school teacher, so was up infront of about 20 kids teaching. How on earth am I supposed to have signed for it?

If needs be, the school can verify that I was at work.

i think if it was stolen someone would have just took it and not signed for it

[TrueBlueTerrier]

The package was signed for at 13:26, at my home address.

At this time I was at work.

I'm a secondary school teacher, so was up infront of about 20 kids teaching. How on earth am I supposed to have signed for it?

If needs be, the school can verify that I was at work.

i think if it was stolen someone would have just took it and not signed for it

or falisified a signature. TBH we could all come up with various scenarious - an outlandish one is that the sender could send a recorded letter to their own address and then sign for it when it arrives. Tada ebay has a signature on delivery but customer has no item. But it does not help the OP so can we move on.

[Tomlad]

Thanks TrueBlueTerrier.

On the subject of scenarios, I think its most likely been delivered to the wrong house.
In the last few months I've had several letters delivered to me that were meant for more than a few doors from me. I've not said anything, just posted them through the correct letterbox...

I've asked the neighbours, but I'm not about to go down the length of the street asking people.

Its not worth nicking anyway. Its heatpacks for the transportation of animals. Useless to 99.9% of people.

[stokes11eg]

To be honest - if you have not signed for it, and you have checked with the Callers Office of the Delivery Office the next thing to do is raise a claim with Royal Mail Customer Services or see if they can the Investigation Branch (RMs Investigation arm - older than the Police) involved.

It might be worth raising a claim on Ebay as well. Just as their are dishonest buyers on there, undoubtedly there are also dishonest sellers.

Good luck.

BTW I am hoping B4W left a "h" out of the word though

Yes, it is so easy to go into the P.O and pick up a bundle of S/D recorded bags or stickers. This is not supposed to happen but it does--dishonest people than have a tracking number, without actually sending amything off! Always ask sender for Proof of posting, this is the receipt they get (with tracker number) when the item is handed over the counter, and paid for. If any seller says he has lost it, be suspicious!

[Lounge Lizard]

To be honest - if you have not signed for it, and you have checked with the Callers Office of the Delivery Office the next thing to do is raise a claim with Royal Mail Customer Services or see if they can the Investigation Branch (RMs Investigation arm - older than the Police) involved.

It might be worth raising a claim on Ebay as well. Just as their are dishonest buyers on there, undoubtedly there are also dishonest sellers.

Good luck.

BTW I am hoping B4W left a "h" out of the word though

Yes, it is so easy to go into the P.O and pick up a bundle of S/D recorded bags or stickers. This is not supposed to happen but it does--dishonest people than have a tracking number, without actually sending amything off! Always ask sender for Proof of posting, this is the receipt they get (with tracker number) when the item is handed over the counter, and paid for. If any seller says he has lost it, be suspicious!

That's right. Recorded Delivery forms with stickers always used to be just with other forms on the customers side of the counter.